I spread a cloud before the victor's sight,
Sustained the vanquished, and secured his flight.
--Dryden.
2. To put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving; to
make certain; to assure; to insure; -- frequently with
against or from, rarely with of; as, to secure a creditor
against loss; to secure a debt by a mortgage.
It secures its possessor of eternal happiness. --T.
Dick.
3. To make fast; to close or confine effectually; to render
incapable of getting loose or escaping; as, to secure a
prisoner; to secure a door, or the hatches of a ship.
4. To get possession of; to make one's self secure of; to
acquire certainly; as, to secure an estate.
{Secure arms} (Mil.), a command and a position in the manual
of arms, used in wet weather, the object being to guard
the firearm from becoming wet. The piece is turned with
the barrel to the front and grasped by the right hand at
the lewer band, the muzzle is dropped to the front, and
the piece held with the guard under the right arm, the
hand supported against the hip, and the thumb on the
rammer.
But thou, secure of soul, unbent with woes.
--DRyden.
2. Overconfident; incautious; careless; -- in a bad sense.
--Macaulay.
3. Confident in opinion; not entertaining, or not having
reason to entertain, doubt; certain; sure; -- commonly
with of; as, secure of a welcome.
Confidence then bore thee on, secure Either to meet
no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial.
--Milton.
4. Net exposed to danger; safe; -- applied to persons and
things, and followed by against or from. ``Secure from
fortune's blows.'' --Dryden.
Syn: Safe; undisturbed; easy; sure; certain; assured;
confident; careless; heedless; inattentive.